CONSULTANCY: Documenting and disseminating countries' experiences in flood impact-based forecasting systems and warnings - SSA-2026-TCU-DPPD-18

Background

Effective hydrometeorological forecasting and early warning systems are essential to reducing the impact of hydrometeorological hazards. While some countries are producing impact-based forecasting as support for warning decisions, many African countries face significant technical and institutional challenges, and there is a growing need to develop early warning systems tailored to their needs by benchmarking experiences and methodologies learned in other countries.

The CREWS projects in West and Central Africa aim to strengthen national hydrometeorological capacities and improve risk information and early warning services in their respective regions. Both projects will support the introduction of impact forecasting, with a particular focus on the impact of floods, by learning from the methods, systems, and processes used in other countries. They will also help identify National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) or other entities with which to explore collaborations and knowledge exchanges in these areas.

This consultancy aims to document and disseminate countries' experiences in Impact-Based Forecasting and Warning Services (IBFWS), focusing on methods, products, and related processes used as support for early warning services. It will also support the WMO Flood Forecasting and Warning Community of Practice (CoP) as part of the Standing Committee on hydrological services (SC-HYD), and the WMO expert team on Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Service Delivery Technical Guidance (ET-WSG).

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of WMO manager and in close coordination with the lead of the expert team responsible for developing the WMO Guidelines on Impact-Based Forecasting and Warning Services (IBFWS) for flood and drought, the consultant will perform the following duties:

1. Consolidate schematic case studies and experience on IBFWS for hydro-meteorological hazards:

· Describe principles for efficient production and operation of hydro-meteorological forecasting and warning systems (considering innovative and local communities’ methods).

· Propose a list of (at least 20) countries with different levels of demonstrated advancement in IBFWS approaches, particularly urban/flash flooding, riverine, and coastal flooding and describe them.

· Document and illustrate national structures and operational processes to produce and deliver early warning systems in selected countries.

· Analyze how these country case studies could contribute to capacity development.

2. Disseminate experiences and recommendations for advancing IBFWS and warning:

· Engage with selected national meteorological and hydrological services (NMHSs), and Disaster Management Agencies (DMAs) to identify challenges and steps taken to ensure forecasting and warning services and document them.

· Develop scripts for structured webinar interviews with selected relevant institutions to demonstrate methodologies, products and operational procedures for IBFWS, indicating communication processes and other key elements. This will also illustrate existing twining between countries to improve forecasting and warning services.

· Moderate webinar interviews in coordination with the WMO technical coordination Initiative team.

· Consolidate interview outcomes and disseminate key insights through WMO channels.

· Formulate practical recommendations to strengthen hydro-meteorological forecasting and warning services in developing countries.

· Identify possible twining strategies between countries to foster IBFWS in West and Central Africa.

3. Prototype IBFWS information under the CoP web site:

· Design IBFWS topics related and propose content structure for the CoP website.

· Use illustrative examples of case studies, including at least one fully developed example for each major flood type (e.g. riverine, urban/flash floods, coastal floods), demonstrating how the content will be presented and used as a learning resource.

These activities will be carried out considering WMO manuals and guidance contributing to IBFS and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Services.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT

• Deliverable 1 (End Jul): Initial report, including identified countries, methodological plan and criteria for documenting lessons learned, and draft script for interviews.
• Deliverable 2 (End Oct): Progress report, including drafted countries' case studies on IBFWS, and prototypes for the IBFWS CoPs.
• Deliverable 3 (End Feb): Final report, in line with the activities of section B and including consolidated lessons learned and recommendations for developing countries in West and Central Africa.

PLANNED TRAVELS:

2 Travels for workshop and dissemination.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Meteorology, Hydrology, Disaster Risk management or a related field.

Experience:

At least fifteen (15) years of relevant professional experience in hydrometeorological and flood forecasting, early warning systems, institutional coordination or disaster risk reduction at the community level in developing countries.

Other Requirements:

Direct experience with national meteorological and hydrological institutions, Disaster risk reduction agencies and UN agencies are highly desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in French and strong working knowledge of English.

Salary and Allowances: pay band C

Duration:

90 days over a period of approximately 10 months.

Additional Information:

Focal point name and email for additional information: Tania Gascon, taniagascon@wmo.int

Probation

Possibility of renewal subject to the availability of funds and pending satisfactory performance after an initial probationary period of one year which can be extended up to a maximum of two years.

Applications:

Applications should be made online through the WMO e-recruitment system.

Do not send your application via multiple routes. WMO no longer accepts applications via post or email. Only applicants for whom WMO has a further interest will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written test and/or an interview.

Statements:

WMO is committed to achieving diversity and a balanced workforce. Applications are welcome from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. The statutory retirement age is 65. Pursuant to WMO Standing Instructions, the minimum age to be eligible for consideration for vacant positions is 18, and the maximum age must enable the candidate to serve for at least the term of the contract before reaching mandatory age of separation.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

WMO does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

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